Good morning.
What's the best way to get the market value of your house?
I wanted to see if it's worth protesting my taxes.

I got my property tax notice yesterday in the mail.
Harris County has appraised my house at $147,137 for Yr.2017.
Here's the 5-year appraisal from Harris county:
2017 $147,137.00
2016 $135,085.00
2015 $102,577.00
2014 $93,252.00
2013 $84,775.00
2012 $84,775.00


I knew property values in Katy were going up, but I wasn't thinking this fast nor high.


Because I got the notice that my escrow payment is going to raise up by another $200, due to the taxes being much more than what they analyzed in 2016, so I have to pay even more to catch up with what I still owe. As I said in a thread about mortgage, I have everything escrowed for the sake of simplicity (1 payment for everything).

It's going to put me in a bind. I can pull a 401k loan to pay off what I still owe, which will then only raise my monthly payment by $100. But I'd rather hold that for....retirement (duh).

How old is your property?

Do you live in a subdivision?

You could have an appraisal done probably cost about $300 for a track type home.

If you know any realtors you could get them to put some recent sales for your. For the most part I bet the appraisal district is not crazy hi. If you want to protest you can ask them to provide what data they are relying on.

As far as financials get ready its going to go up again next year.

Have a realtor pull recent comp sales in your neighborhood. Its ALWAYS worth protesting your taxes.

this, local sales of similar properties will tell you what you could get fair market.

I sold a house in Sugar Land last year. Looked at Zillow and the other real estate sites at recent sales in our neighborhood and it was very close to what ours sold for.

Property was built in 1978.
Yes, I live in a subdivision with HOA.

I've been looking at realtor websites:
Zillow says $142,000
Redfin says $154,000
HAR says $135,000

You are in luck.

Have a foundation company come out, you will find one that says you house is all jacked up and get a estimate, Olshan is known for having high estimates.

Find any other issues that need to be repaired and get estimate, Example new roof, cracks in exterior or interior, window issues.

Go and protest and take your estimates.

ALWAYS, ALWAYS, ALWAYS protest increases in your property tax. And do what RR said above so you'll have a leg to stand on.

There are companies that will protest your taxes for you. If they get them reduced they keep a % of the savings. If they don't then you owe nothing. Also, I believe the Harris county tax rate is actually going down a little in 2017.

Okay, thanks.
I didn't know you can use home repair estimates to protest property taxes.

I think this will probably be the culprit. When I bought the house my Ex and I had, in 1998, I set a new neighborhood standard. When I sold it in 2008 I set another new standard. Some of my neighbors weren't always happy with me.

Ask full value and people will still offer more.

Just read Texas paper, the state is sending another $2 billion in school costs back to the local taxpayers. You know this will be paid for by a local property tax increase.

My Alabama home, I pay $658 a year. Pay no property tax after I turn 65. You guys are making it harder for me to return in 6 1/2 years.